Sam Fayyaz

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@chris_sutton73 The WC can serve up weird results, but I think this is right. Argentina are at the end of a cycle. England haven’t been great, but they seem to be warming up where Argentina seem to be burning out.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@_Zeets 💯

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@BillKristol England should have had a man sent off against Ghana, had a clear penalty against them waived away against Ghana, and Bellingham’s goal was allowed to stand after the ball hit the roof against Norway. All three massive errors in favor of ENG.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@theoldzealand The problem as I see it, is that we want consistency and clear application of the rules but also want refs to officiate with game context and “feel” in mind. Refereeing as science vs as art. Finding that balance is very difficult.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@jonawils Became interested in Rattín after reading Angels with Dirty Faces. Overall, seemed like a misunderstood man. And a darn good footballer.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@StevenMcinerney Well said. All of it.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@eldnaht @FaWenger @BowTiedCrow Totally. My point is that a lot of what makes them stand out in those sports would be sanded away for different aptitudes. Saquon the soccer player might be an incredible talent but he wouldn't be recognizable as the Saquon we are in awe of for what he does on the football field.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@days_lays @FaWenger @BowTiedCrow That's fair enough. @DavidEpstein 's "The Sports Gene" is a great book on the subject. Good chapter on what makes an ideal basketball body. Hint: it's very different from a soccer body and it ain't just about height. Center of gravity and wingspan are far more important.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@okra2019 @shadihamid You’re saying that after Egypt scored their second goal, the sense of injustice from not being awarded the goal that got called back caused their coach to not make a single defensive substitute in the final 15 minutes? Not sure how that makes any sense.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@DanCollins2011 I see your point. But you seem to fall into the same trap that the others do, which is that short distance speed = athleticism. The point should be that there are different types of athleticism and bodies suited to different sports.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@FaWenger @BowTiedCrow This is right. It’s the “if my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle” argument. In other words, if Saquon played soccer, he would have the physicality of a soccer player. He wouldn’t train for short bursts of pace. He would be thinner. Have much more stamina etc.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@DuBoseDefense @FrankieQuigs And if my aunt had balls she’d be my uncle. If Jamar Chase played soccer, he wouldn’t have all the physical attributes that make him an elite receiver. He would be thinner, less explosive over 10-20 yards, and have more stamina.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@jaycaspiankang Looking forward to reading this. Congrats on putting it out in the world.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@FunnyGooner The xG was 2.15 to .67. Ok, not 4-1 maybe, but that was a dire performance.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@D__Melb @maxrushden No, I wasn’t either. But you’re right. Disappointing number of Americans shrugged the decision off. Weird ends justifying the means attitude about the whole thing. Weak minded in my opinion.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@maxrushden Well said. Count me in as one of those Americans. Absolute shame that the last thing we’ll remember about this very good team is their association with this corrupt decision and those venal men.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@YankeeGunner There’s a German word - Backpfeifengesicht - that means punchable face. This Portugal side has three of the all-time greats.

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@social_sth Reactionary centrist nerds like Silver exhibit a kind of Stockholm syndrome when it comes to Trump/MAGA. Abuses of power and bullying are hand waved away as “not a big deal really.”

[Sam Fayyaz @SamFayyaz79]

@MiguelDelaney Little like his goal against Nigeria in 2018 but more impressive